Hooked on You
by Kathleen Fuller
A fairly mediocre romance . Not the best not the worst but it just didn’t click for me not even a warm hallmark feeling in sight. Disappointing 2.5/5

When I saw the cover of this story all over Instagram a couple of years ago I immediately added it to my TBR list. Well, it has been sitting on my shelf all this time and I finally got to read it and I must say I was somewhat disappointed.... I did enjoy the characters. I think Mimi was my favorite. She is a spunky gramma who gets hurt while playing baseball (can you imagine?!) and has her grandaughter return to Maple Falls to help her out. Riley doesn't really want to return but she loves her grandmother so she does reluctantly.

We also meet Hayden who is a hunky ex-baseball player who Mimi is trying to set up with Riley. The romance factor is there but there was so much more that could have been unpacked in this story. Riley holds some baggage towards her mom who abandoned her to her grandmother at an early age. She has dealt with a lot and still hasn't truly processed it all. Hayden deals with anger management and that wasn't fully developed in the story either.

I kept reading in hopes that I would find that "something more" but sadly it never came... I would not consider this a Christian Fiction story as there were plenty of opportunities to have a strong faith thread but sadly it never came. Rather I would consider this a clean fiction.

Listen, just because this was not my favorite doesn't mean you won't love it. These are just my thoughts and it will not keep me from reading this author's other books. I know I have the second book to this series in my TBR shelf and looking forward to reading it one of these days.

um, not for me rally. i don't even know what to say about this. just... read a good romance if you want romance. this was not it

Contemporary romantic story not the best I’ve read and certainly not the worst but it felt lacking in places and found it an effort to read but did finish it after a couple of weeks as I struggled to engage with this book for long periods.

Because of problems with my computer and e-reader my I didn't read the book and my copy has expired.

Due to a personal difference in beliefs I will not be finishing or reviewing this book outside of Netgalley.

What happens when Erma needs her granddaughter, Riley, to come back to the small town of Maple Hills, the one place she hates, to help take care of her after she broke her leg playing softball

Riley McAllister left the small town of Maple Falls, Arkansas right after graduation to go live in NYC. She had a horrible mother who neglected her until her grandmother finally stepped in for good. Riley lives in NY creating art and doing several side jobs to make money. Immediately, Riley jumps on a plane to fly home to help her.

But Erma has big plans up her sleeve. Erma sends Riley's high school crush, Hayden Price, to pick her up at the airport. Once she sees him, her guards go up. Her childhood taught her not to trust anyone. So she comes off as cold. But she's socially awkward that is, until Hayden earns a bit of her trust and she starts to let her guards come down.

But when a stranger from both Erma's and Riley's past just shows up during church on a Sunday, will Riley run back to NY?

A cute read?

Hooked On You is a contemporary novel written by Kathleen Fuller. It is book one in the Maple Falls Romance series.

Summary: Riley McAllister is living in New York-determined to make it as a mixed-media artist, and forget the town of Maple Falls. But when her grandmother breaks her leg, Riley is finally forced to go back to the town she left behind ten long years ago.

Renewing her relationship with her grandmother is one thing, but getting too close to anyone else is another.

Even when the people at church, her grandmother's friends, and her one-time high school crush try to worm their way into her heart, she knows she can't fall for it. She's been burned too many times in the past, and knows everyone leaves eventually.

As soon as her grandmother's leg heals, she is going back to New York.

Isn't she?

My Thoughts: This book has some good features. I love the small town atmosphere, and the fun and quirky characters.

But, there were some things that never made sense.

I won't ruin the story, but there is a part where Riley gets really mad at her grandmother and it seemed totally the opposite of what should have happened. She should have been thanking her grandmother. It was just such an odd response-almost like the author was just trying to manufacture some drama at that point but it didn't fit.

Also, the romantic relationship was a little strange. She kept running away, and he kept putting up with it. It didn't really work for me.

And the ending seemed super rushed.

Overall, it is an OK book. But I think I wanted to like the book more than I actually liked the book.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson-FICTION for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you.

Sweet story and one that many patrons have enjoyed at our library recently. It doesn’t stay on our shelf! I’m glad I added it!

Kathleen Fuller is one of my favorite authors of Amish romance, so I was so excited to read a contemporary romance series from her. She's skilled at bringing depth to her characters- making them come alive with their strengths and flaws, struggles and triumphs. Riley and Hayden don’t hate each other- they actually have been interested in each other surreptitiously since high school, but life got in the way of them becoming more than acquaintances. Riley copes with her traumatic past and dysfunctional childhood by closing herself off from people, which is incredibly frustrating to Hayden. He has overcome personal disappointments and injuries, and I loved how that put him in a unique position to understand Riley and support her. Boy, they do not have an easy road as Riley begins to recognize how her coping mechanisms are no longer helping her, but preventing her from pursuing the happiness that is just within reach. I enjoyed the sense of community and we are introduced to friends and neighbors that I looked forward to get to know more in the coming books.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Ive read quite a few Amish books by Kathleen Fuller but this is the first Contemporary Fiction book of hers that I’ve had the pleasure to read and I loved it! HOOKED ON YOU is the first book in the Maple Falls series. After reading HOOKED ON YOU I will read every book Kathleen Fuller has written. I instantly felt like I was sitting in Maple Falls helping Riley try and figure out what direction her life was heading to. HOOKED ON YOU is filled with just as much hope as it is with uncertain feelings. My emotions were all over the place while reading and I was even holding my breath at some parts that I was afraid to keep going. How much more heartache and grief could Riley put up with?

HOOKED ON YOU is filled with struggling with the choices we have to make and once you start reading, it will be impossible to put down. Keep the tissues close by because this will be one heck of an emotional journey. Will Riley ever find her place in the world, overcome her unhappy childhood, and be happy once again? Kathleen Fuller does a wonderful job of teaching the reader what Riley is going through. Riley was abandoned by her mom when she was young and raised by her Grandmother, Mimi. Kathleen Fuller normally writes Amish Fiction, but let me tell you, she really knows how to write about family drama, heartbreak, and forgiveness. I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author.

HOOKED ON YOU is filled with likable and relatable characters that will find their way into the reader’s heart. Riley moved away from Maple Falls years ago and vowed to never come back. Well, Mimi breaks her leg and needs help. Kathleen has a way of grabbing your heart and just squeezing it until you swear it is going to burst. Then she hands it back to you, slightly bruised but still in tact. How an author can do that is beyond me, but I love when it happens. HOOKED ON YOU is going to stay in my heart for a long time to come. My heart is still aching for Riley after all she went through when her mom walked away from her.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

This book has everything a sweet romance should: great characters; a wonderful setting; and a storyline that held my interest. I have loved this author’s previous books, and look forward to reading more in this series.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Stars: 2

Synopsis: Artist Riley McAllister is back home in Maple Falls. Nope, not for good. Only until her grandmother, who’s suffering a broken leg, gets back up on her feet and to work in her small-town yarn shop. Not even newly returned—and smokin’ hot—Hayden Price and his church softball team can get her to stay in her hick hometown...can he?


Wow. Um, y’all, after that extremely long and loud rant of mine last summer, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to review this book. I try, but rest assured that after that rant, I’ll be reviewing this from a more...technical perspective. If you want to know all my personal opinions, sensitive spots, and pet peeves, read my Goodreads review (www.goodreads.com/review/show/4042419554). (To sum up, this “Christian” book had no Christianity at all, the ending wasn’t satisfying enough, and the entire foundation of Riley and Hayden’s “romance” was physical attraction...there wasn’t even any emotional connection.)

To be entirely honest, despite my taking notes, I can’t quite remember everything that went on and everything that stuck out to me...but I do remember there being a few moments of just wut? You know, some strange something being mentioned as if the author threw it in because they weren’t thinking about what they were writing and were too focused on meeting their daily word count. (Y’all know what I mean, don’t you, fellow authors?) I know it when I see it, because I myself am guilty of it too. It’s just really weird from the reader’s perspective.

I also remember that everything was so rushed at the end! Like, we had this huge buildup (mainly Riley making a fuss about everything) just waiting to make this long, dramatic ending...but nope. It just...ended. No real satisfaction, no epilogue, no close. Maybe that’s to leave things open for the next book, but I feel like these were loose ends specific to Riley and Hayden’s story.

The story as a whole was really bland to me. A few other reviewers have said it read more like women’s fiction, and I think that’s why. There wasn’t really much of a plot or any driving conflict. Now, there could have been, but so many elements—like Tracey and the parade—were never fully explored and the story seemed incomplete. Then we’re left with Riley and Hayden’s attraction and a few out-of-the-blue comments from the side characters...sure, there’s some drama, but not much substance.

Maybe if I could’ve connected with the characters...but I couldn’t. Riley and Hayden were like foils pulled out of a Hallmark movie, dropped into Maple Falls with nothing but the clothes on their back, and told to fight for their lives. In fact, my favorite character was Harper. She had more depth and personality than anyone else in this book!

Riley and Hayden did have definable arcs that were pretty decent, which is a plus, but it wasn’t enough to pique my interest and hold my attention. Maybe if there’d been something unique (because I’m sure Hallmark’s done the yarn shop too) or some beautiful redemption story on Riley’s part (spoiler alert: this girl has no interest in God or living for other people or general human kindness), I could’ve really gotten into it, but there wasn’t. There wasn’t even a swoony love story. Apparently I still live in the Regency era, though, where my definition of a love story is comprised of emotional letters, conversations about books, long walks at dawn, beautiful music and dancing, and a deep and abiding affection that fuels the desire to fight for, protect, and cherish one’s lover. The 21st century doesn’t operate like that, I’ve found. “Romance” in today’s era never lasts, has no worth or value, and requires no effort on anyone’s part to develop or maintain. In fact, smushed bananas are more valuable and lasting than romance—why, they even provide necessary nutrients and sufficient energy to the body, allowing us to live longer and more healthily!

I’d take a smushed banana over “romance” any day, and I hate bananas.

I digress.

Hooked on You had potential...to be another lovely Hallmark film, with just as much substance, connection, and Christian content. As a unique and interesting “Christian romance” worth reading, however, it was sorely lacking, if not completely deficient. It fell prey to one of the classic and increasingly common blunders in today’s “Christian romance,” which is quite saddening, because this should have been a good book. All these books that Christian novelists are putting out today should be good, but perhaps publishers and the market have lowered their standards or increased the pressure on authors to produce faster instead of better. I don’t know...all I do know is that I neither recommend Hooked on You nor anticipate reading more by Kathleen Fuller in the future.


Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I tried finishing this book and could not get into it. I did not write a Goodreads review because I try not to put out negative reviews for books that are still trying to gain traction.

Hooked on You was such a sweet story! I loved Hayden and Riley together, and of course the meddling Mimi!

Riley McAllister is living the dream in New York City . . . if the dream means being a struggling mixed-media artist, part-time food delivery driver, and having a carefully curated social media to hide all of the above. She refuses to admit defeat and move back to small-town Maple Falls, but when her grandmother breaks her leg sliding into third base during a softball game (she was safe, by the way), Riley reluctantly agrees to go home and help the woman who raised her—while secretly hoping she can convince Mimi to sell her house and yarn shop and move in with a good friend. Then Riley can return to her new life in NYC, on her own and for good.

But Mimi has her own plans, which include setting Riley up with local baseball star Hayden Price, who returned to Maple Falls after an injury ended his major league career. Now he works at his father’s hardware store, coaches the church softball team, and worries about the declining town. It’s not the life he dreamed of having.

With a little meddling and a lot of kindness from the town, Hayden and Riley find themselves unexpectedly falling for each other as they discover the true meaning of home.

Welcome to Maple Falls, where everyone knows your name and your business.

This was a wonderful read. Well written and the storyline flowed.
Heartbroken Riley moves back to her hometown to help her grandmother. It is an extremely hard thing for her to do, going back to where her mother broke her heart at 13.
Hayden comes to pick her up and of course sparks are there but Riley is so scared of heartbreak, can she let him in.
Lovely romance and I would be happy to read more by Fuller in the future.

Hooked on you is such a wonderful story about a woman coming home and finding direction, love, and a wonderful future. If you are looking for a feel good story about first loves and reuniting with family and community then this is a story for you. I absolutely love stories based in small towns where everyone knows each other and how they all love and support one another. Especially when someone is in trouble and needs help. Riley set off to live her dream in New York city only to find that its not what she imagined and hoped for. One day her grandmother breaks her leg and Riley, very reluctantly, agrees to go and help her and help her with her store. What she hopes for a quick trip turns into her spending more time in Maple Falls, filling in on a soft ball team and furtively resisting any and all attempts to spend time with Hayden, an ex major league player and who works at his fathers hardware store. And who also, by chance coaches the local softball team!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book. I'm excited to read the 2nd story in A Maple Falls Romance!

Just not my cup of tea. It was a perfectly fine, wholesome book. I just didn’t love it. The characters are sweet and the cover adorable. That’s the only positives I have. It took me months to finish this because I was connected to the story.

This was a DNF for me, I kept trying but finally I just had to say no more. The writing just didn't resonate with me.

When I saw the cover for Hooked on You and read the synopsis, I was instantly intrigued. I love to knit and crochet, so any time a book includes yarn, I’m interested. Throw in a sassy grandma and a reluctant romance and I am hooked (pun, most definitely, intended lol)! This book was such a delight to read.

One of my favorite aspects of this book were the characters. As a twenty-something who has no idea what she is doing with her life, I found Riley to be super relatable. I also loved her grandma, Erma. She was such a spunky, sassy character. She was probably my favorite, lol. Then there was Hayden… Oh my goodness, I loved his character so much! He was such a good guy. Being able to watch Riley and Hayden’s relationship unfold was oh, so sweet.

I also loved the small-town setting. Maple Falls has many busybodies but they’re all mostly well-meaning, lol. It was so quaint!

Hooked on You is a book that is filled with so much heart. It’s a book about learning to be true to yourself, loving others, and growing and learning. I absolutely adored everything about this one. I cannot wait for the next book in the series because I will, most definitely, be reading it! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet romance novel with a great cast of characters.